Apparatus for washing and filling containers

ABSTRACT

A machine for washing and filling containers for liquids comprises a washing station, washing means at the washing station, a filling station, filling means at the filling station, means to move a container through the machine comprising a first pusher to push a container to the washing station, transfer means to transfer a container from the washing station to the filling station, and a second pusher to push a container away from the filling station.

Golding et all.

[ Aug. 27, 1974 4] AW i Tris iron WASNG ILLING come [75] Inventors: (Iyril George Golg; Anthony John Win; Frank [in all of Bilston, England [73] Assignee: GKN Sanltey Limited, Bilston,

England 22 Filed: Fel1.25,1972 21 App1.No.:229,435

[52] US. Cl ..1411/92, 141/171, 198/33 AD,

[51] Int. Cl. 1B65g 47/24 [58] Field 011 Search 141/89, 92, 48, 83, .169, 141/170, 171; 214/] Q, 130 R, 130 C; 198/33 AD, 19, 221

[56] References @itcd UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,094,380 4/1914 Tait 141/171 X 2,129,137 9/1938 Kenall 214/1 Q 2,741,797 4/1956 Britton 214/312 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,056,995 3/1954 France 198/33 AD Primary Examiner-Frank E. Werner Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Watson, Cole, Grindle & Watson A machine for washing and filling containers for liquids comprises a washing station, washing means at the washing station, a filling station, filling means at the filling station, means to move a container through the machine comprising a first pusher to push a container to the washing station, transfer means to transfer a container from the washing station to the filling station, and a second pusher to push a container away from the filling station.

' 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEU AUBZ 71974 sum 1 or Q PATENTED AUGZT m4 sum 2 or PATENTED m2 719M a, a 31 45 SHEEF 30F 3 D Wl$ APPARATUS ron WASHING AND FILLING CONTAINERS The invention relates to apparatus for washing and filling containers for liquids, e.g., beer kegs.

The invention provides a machine for washing and filling containers for liquids, comprising a washing station, washing means at the washing station, a filling station, filling means at the filling station, means to move a container through the machine comprising a first pusher to push a container to the washing station, transfer means to transfer a container from the washing station to the filling station, and a second pusher to push a container away from the filling station.

The first pusher and the second pusher may be mounted on a carriage for reciprocation in synchronism so that they move at the same time first in a pushing direction and then in a return direction.

The transfer means may include a turnover device so that a container may be washed in the inverted position and filled in the upright position.

Alternatively or in addition the transfer means may include one or more further pushers, preferably mounted on the carriage.

The machine may have support means to take the weight of a container as it passes through the machine. One or each pusher may comprise at least one member arranged to project above the support means as the pusher moves in the pushing direction so as to push a container over the support means, and to retract below the support means when the pusher moves in the return direction.

The pushers may be secured to the carraige and the cariage be arranged to reciprocate.

The carriage may be arranged to reciprocate pneumatically. For example the carriage may comprise the cylinder of a pneumatic piston the cylinder combination, the piston being secured to the machine so that supply of gas to the cylinder causes movement of the cylinder.

By way of example, specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 isa side view of a machine according to the invention, and

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the machine, some parts being omitted for clarity.

FIG. 3 is a side view of another machine according to the invention.

The machine comprises an upper frame 10, and a lower frame 9, the upper frame forming a tunnel over the lower frame 9 and housing a washing station 11 and a filling station 12. The lower frame 9 provides a substantially horizontal support surface over which beer kegs 13 may slide to pass through the tunnel.

In use beerkegs are passed into the machine in the inverted position, are washed at the washing station, are turned over and deposited at the filling station wherethey are filled in the upright position and they are then removed from the machine.

At the washing station is a pneumatically operated cross head 14 and a washing head 15. When a keg is at the washing station it is clamped between the cross head andthe washing head and washed.

At thefilling stationthere is a pneumatically operated lift platform 16 and a filling head 17. A beer keg at the filling station is raised from the support surface by the lift platform and is clamped between the lift platform and the filling head while it is filled. It is then Iowered to this support surface and removed from the machine.

The means which transfer a beer keg from the washing station to the filling station turning the keg over as it is transferred comprises a pair of arms 18 mounted on a pivot 19. The pivot extends horizontally and transverse to the direction of passage of containers through the machine. The arms 18 are operable pneumatically to grip a container at the washing station and roll it over the pivot 19 into position at the filling station.

A conveyor 20 is provided to carry containers to the machine. The conveyor runs transverse to the direction of passage of containers through the machine.

The machine is provided with two pushers 21 22, one to push containers from the conveyor 20 to the washing station, and one to push filled containers from the filling station. The two pushers are secured to two pneumatic cylinders 23. The two cylinders are provided with pistons the piston rods 24 of which are secured at their free ends to the frame 9. The cylinders are mounted in bearings 25 in which they can slide longitudinally in the direction of passage of kegs through the machine. The cylinders are double acting.

Pushers 21 comprises an arm 26 mounted on a cross member 27. The end 28 of the arm 26 is shaped to engage a container.

The pusher 22 comprises a frame 29 mounted on the cylinders and carrying two fingers 30. The two fingers are movable pneumatically between a raised position as shown in FIG. 1 in which they extend above the support surface and a retracted position in which they are withdrawn below the support surface.

FIG. 1 shows a keg on the conveyor 20 about to be pushed to the washing station, a second washed keg at the washing station and a third filled keg at the racking station. With reference to this Figure the operating cycle of the machine will now be described. With the fingers 30 of pusher 22 raised air is admitted to cylinders 23 causing them to move in a pushing direction to the right as viewed in FIG. 1. As they begin to move arms 18 which are gripping the washed keg start to pivot about pivot 19 to transfer the keg to the racking station. In synchronism pusher 21. pushes a keg from the conveyor 20 to the washing station, the washed keg at the washing station is transferred and turned over to the filling station, and the filled keg at the filling station is pushed out of the machine from the filling station and is received by a second conveyor 30. The empty keg at the washing station is then washed at the same time as the washed keg at the filling station is filled. While the washing and filling operations are being carried out the arms 18 return to the position shown in FIG. 1 in synchronism with the return of the cylinders 23. Before the cylinders return the fingers 30 are lowered so that they pass underneath the keg at the washing station. When the washing and filling operation have been carried out the pushers and arms 18 move as before to repeat the c cle.

Th arms 18 may be driven by the cylinders 23. For example a chain drive may be connected between the cylinders and the pivot 19, so that when the cylinders move they act on the chain to rotate the pivot. Alternatively the drive may be by means of a toothed rack connected to the cylinders and a gear or gear chain connected to the pivot 19 and driven by the rack.

The machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is suitable for washing and filling only one size of keg. If larger kegs were fed to this machine difficulties would arise includ ing the fouling of the kegs on the upper portion of frame during turnover. It is not practicable to raise the height of frame 10, as the piston driving lifting table 16 would then have an unsatisfactorily long stroke.

The machine shown in FIG. 3 may be adjusted to wash and fill any of three different sizes of keg. The

turnover difficulties with large kegs are avoided or reduced by arranging for turnover to take place in an area where there is no upper framework.

The machine shown in FIG. 3 is similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 but the washing station 11 is spaced further from the racking station 12 and four pushers 21, 40, 41, 42 are provided mounted on cylinders 23. Turnover arms 18 are arranged midway between stations 11 and 12.

When a keg has been washed as in the first embodiment it is pushed by pusher 40 to position 43 shown in chain lines. When the pushers return to their reset position as shown in FIG. 3 a sequence of washing and filling operations commences. Also the turnover arms 18, which are driven separately from the cylinders 23 grip and turn over the keg in position 43, depositing it at position 44.

When the sequence of washing and filling operations is concluded, and providing that arms 18 have returned to the position shown in FIG. 3, the cylinders 23 perform another stroke and pusher 41 pushes the keg at position 44 to the racking station.

Each pusher 40, 41, 42 has two plungers 45 thereon spaced apart transversely of the machine (only one plunger 45 of each pusher being visible in FIG. 3) which plungers are moved upwardly pneumatically to extend above the keg support surfaces 46, 47, 48 prior to each pushing stroke. Prior to the return stroke of cylinders 23 the plungers retract below the support surfaces.

In order to wash and fill containers of different sizes it is necessary to adjust the stroke of cylinders 23 as a smaller stroke will be required for larger containers. It is also necessary to ensure that the turnover arms 18 grip the containers at about the level of their centres of gravity.

The full extent of the stroke of cylinders 23 is controlled by three fingers 49 mounted at the side of the machine each being pneumatically extendable into the path of pusher 21. When the largest size of keg is to be used the left hand finger 49 (as viewed in FIG. 3) is extended and the cylinder stroke ends when upright portion 21a of pusher 21 strikes the finger. For use with the smaller keg only the right hand finger is extended and for the remaining size keg only the central finger is extended.

In order to position the turnover arms correctly support surface 47 is moveable vertically to any of three positions by pneumatic push and cylinder combination 50. The three positions are determined by three fingers 51 extenable pneumatically into the path of the piston of combination 50 to limit its stroke.

The invention is not restricted to the features of the foregoing example. For instance, the turnover mechanism need not be as described in the example. Indeed, where the machine is such that the containers are washed and filled both in the inverted position or both in the upright position, the turnover device may be dispensed with. In the machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a third pusher mounted on the cylinders may be provided to push containers from the washing station to the filling station. The third pusher may be arranged to retract below the support surface when moving in the said return direction.

Alternatively, if the spacing between the washing station and the filling station is so great that a container cannot conveniently be pushed from the washing station to the filling station in one stroke of a pusher, two further pushers may be provided on the cylinders instead of the third pusher, both further pushers being arranged to retract below the support surface when moving in the said return direction. With such an arrangement a washed container at the washing station is first pushed to a point intermediate the washing and filling stations by the first of the further pushers, and on the next stroke of the cylinders the container is pushed from the intermediate station to the filling station by the second of the further pushers. Thus each container will pass through a washing cycle, a waiting cycle while the preceding and succeeding containers are filled and washed respectively, and a filling cycle.

In the machine shown in FIG. 3 alternative means may be provided to vary the stroke of the pushers. For example one or more additional piston and cylinder combinations may be connected to the end of each cylinder 23 or associated piston, the or each additional piston and cylinder combination being pneumatically operable to vary the stroke of the pushers.

We claim:

1. A machine for washing and filling beer kegs comprising a washing station, washing means at the washing station, a filling station, filling means at the filling station, a turnover station inbetween the washing and filling stations, means at the turnover station for inverting a keg, said three stations being on the same level and arranged in line, rigid support means for the kegs arranged horizontally and extending through and between the stations, and pusher means for pushing the kegs into, through and between stations, said pusher means comprising at least one fluid pressure piston and cylinder combination arranged horizontally with its axis parallel to the support means, one element of the combination being fixed to the machine and the other element of the combination having means thereon to engage kegs whereby kegs are moved through and between stations in a straight line path.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the pusher means includes a first pusher to push a keg into the washing station and a second pusher to push a filled keg away from the filling station, the means at the turnover station being adapted to engage the keg in the washing station, invert it and place it directly into the filling station.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 2 in which the pusher means consists of a pair of piston and cylinder combinations arranged side by side, the pistons whereof are secured to a fixed part of the machine, the pushers being mounted on carriages fixed to the cylinders of the combinations and wherein the second pusher has means arranged to project above the support means as the pusher moves in the pushing direction so as to engage and push a keg along the support means and arranged to retract below the support means when the pusher moves in the return direction.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 11in which the pusher means includes a first pusher to push a keg into the washing station, a second pusher to push a washed keg from the washing station to the turnover device, a third pusher to push an inverted keg to the filling station and a fourth pusher to push a filled keg away from the filling station.

5. A machine as claimed in claim a wherein the pusher means consists of a pair of piston and cylinder combinations arranged side by side, the pistons whereof are secured to a fixed part of the machine, the pushers being mounted on carriages fixed to the cylin- 

1. A machine for washing and filling beer kegs comprising a washing station, washing means at the washing station, a filling station, filling means at the filling station, a turnover station inbetween the washing and filling stations, means at the turnover station for inverting a keg, said three stations being on the same level and arranged in line, rigid support means for the kegs arranged horizontally and extending through and between the stations, and pusher means for pushing the kegs into, through and between stations, said pusher means comprising at least one fluid pressure piston and cylinder combination arranged horizontally with its axis parallel to the support means, one element of the combination being fixed to the machine and the other element of the combination having means thereon to engage kegs whereby kegs are moved through and between stations in a straight line path.
 2. A machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the pusher means includes a first pusher to push a keg into the washing station and a second pusher to push a filled keg away from the filling station, the means at the turnover station being adapted to engage the keg in the washing station, invert it and place it directly into the filling station.
 3. A machine as claimed in claim 2 in which the pusher means consists of a pair of piston and cylinder combinations arranged side by side, the pistons whereof are secured to a fixed part of the machine, the pushers being mounted on carriages fixed to the cylinders of the combinations and wherein the second pusher has means arranged to project above the support means as the pusher moves in the pushing direction so as to engage and push a keg along the support means and arranged to retract below the support means when the pusher moves in the return direction.
 4. A machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the pusher means includes a first pusher to push a keg into the washing station, a second pusher to push a washed keg from the washing station to the turnover device, a third pusher to push an inverted keg to the filling station and a fourth pusher to push a filled keg away from the filling station.
 5. A machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein the pusher means consists of a pair of piston and cylinder combinations arranged side by side, the pistons whereof are secured to a fixed part of the machine, the pushers being mounted on carriages fixed to the cylinders of the combination and wherein the second, third and fourth pushers each has means arranged to project above the support means as the pusher moves in the pushing direction so as to engage and push a keg along the support means and arranged to retract below the support means when the pusher moves in the return direction.
 6. A machine as claimed in claim 5 in which a plurality of stop means are provided, the stop means being operable to stop the stroke of the cylinders at different points. 